Jim's "Go or Don't Go" - Into the Wild

Carrie chose this week's film. She said that I would like it because it's about a guy that leaves everything to live alone in the woods. She knows that I have stated this wish in the past. Fortunately for her, I am one of the most unqualified people on the planet to even think about attempting it. That being said...

Into the Wild is one of those movies that you'll be thinking and talking about long after you've watched it. Directed by Sean Penn, this 2007 film documents the fascinating true story of Christopher McCandless, a 23 year old college graduate who wandered off into the Alaskan wilderness in search of truth, himself, and a host of other meaningful things.

Shunning a bright future as a law student, McCandless gives his sizable life savings to charity, packs up a few belongings, and heads west, virtually dropping off the face of the earth. Fleeing from an unhappy and dysfunctional family life, he destroys all personal identification and even 'changes' his name to Alexander Supertramp, all in an effort to break from the painful mess that was his childhood.

What ensues is a fascinating 2-year adventure that eventually leads him to living in an abandoned bus in the wilderness of Alaska. Along the way he meets up with hippies, farmers and a host of fellow travelers that help him in his journey and teach him a lot about life. Not only do they assist him in his quest to live alone in the wilderness, but they too are affected and changed by his passionate and uncompromising spirit.

Through an interesting combination of flashbacks, Penn weaves a riveting story. At over two hours long, the film never dragged for me. McCandless is not portrayed as a kook - I found myself vascilating between fascination and envy. He did what many dream of doing... freeing ourselves of societal commitments, jobs and expectations, and living at one with nature. Emile Hirsch is fantastic in creating the character of McCandless, in what must have been an extremely physically and emotionally demanding role - in fact, he had to drop his weight from 156 to 115 for the part. I was especially touched by Hal Holbrook's Oscar-nominated performance as Ron Franz, an elderly man that McCandless befriends toward the end of his journey (side note: I didn't even know he was still alive!).

Into the Wild is about a lot of things, but I think it's ultimately about a search for forgiveness and the peace that it brings. I say; "Go."

Viewer heads up - there is some brief, "silly" nudity (think hippies from Denmark) and some profanity throughout the film. You may want check out the book, which actually may be a more accurate telling of the McCandless tale.